Fasting is perhaps one of the most ancient and common practices among all religions. It is the practice of abstaining from eating, and sometimes drinking, for an extended period of time. In ancient religions fasting was used to prepare priests and priestesses for the task of approaching the gods (Hellenistic religions); for obtaining penance (pre-Columbian Peru); as the preparation for a vision quest (Native American peoples); as a means to receive visions (Evenk peoples of Siberia); as a means for shamans to control the spirits (multiple religions); as preparation for changing seasons (Pueblo peoples); as a way of enabling individuals to reach a transcendent state (Jainism); as a way to celebrate holy days (Theravada Buddhism).
Fasting is also a part of most major world religions. It is integral to the Baha'i faith where during most of March Baha'i's will not eat or drink during daylight hours. In Buddhism it is practiced during times of intense meditation, though monks and nuns seldom eat after the noon meal as a way of practicing an almost daily fast time. Hindus (depending on which school one follows, or which gods one worships) can fast on certain days of the month, certain days of the week or during religious festivals. The type and duration of fasting varies as well. In Islam, fasting is the fourth of the Five Pillars of the faith. Most Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan. The fast is daily and lasts from dawn until dusk. Fasting is believed to move one away from bodily desires and toward charity and humility because it focuses on giving up indecent speech, fighting, arguing and improving ones charitable giving. Sikhism is one of the few world religions that does not promote fasting.
The ancient Israelite religion (the precursor to Judaism) practiced fasting as well. One of the oldest examples of this occurs in the book of Job when Job's friends join him on the ash-heap and sit with him for seven days and nights. Though fasting is not specifically mentioned, the context of mourning (wailing, dust and ashes) implies that they did not eat for this period. A second example of fasting as mourning occurs in the book of Esther when the Jews fast because of a decree which was intended to destroy them. This use of fasting, as part of mourning, is one of many different ways in which fasting was used. Here are some other ways in which fasting was used.
Fasting was used as a way of preparing to encounter God. Moses speaks of having fasted for forty days and forty nights on Mt. Sinai as preparation for encountering God (Deut. 9:9). Daniel used it as preparation to meet God in prayer (Daniel 9:3). It was used as a means of expressing penance for wrong-doing, such as when King David, having been convicted by the prophet Nathan of having committed adultery and murder fasts as his infant son dies (2 Samuel 12:17); or when Moses fasts because he broke the first copy of the Law (Deut. 9:17-18); or when Ezra mourns for the faithlessness of the people in Jerusalem (Ezra 4:4-5). It was used as a means of seeking God's forgiveness. We see this in the writings of the prophet Joel when he encourages the people to fast in order that God's judgment not fall upon them (Joel 1:14). The prophet Jonah calls the people of Nineveh to fast for the same purpose; so that God will not destroy them (Jonah 3:7). Fasting was also used to humble one's soul (Psalm 35:13), to celebrate a victory (2 Chronicles 20:3), to seek God's protection in dangerous times (Isaiah 58:3) and as preparation for a dangerous mission (Esther 4).
In modern Judaism fasting continues as a religious practice. There are six major fast days within Judaism, with the two primary being Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) and Tisha B'Av (the remembrance of the destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians). Certain Jewish traditions add other days and times such as a bride and groom fasting on their wedding day. Fasting is used seek atonement, to mourn and to express gratitude.
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